Capitals right wing Devante Smith-Pelly reacts to Chicago Blackhawks fans taunting him in the penalty box during the third period Saturday night at United Center. Smith-Pelly, a black professional hockey player, immediately understood the implication, that someone of his skin color didn’t belong in this sport played mostly by whites. On Saturday night in Chicago, Smith-Pelly took a seat in the penalty box. Four fans sitting against the glass and beside the box, in seats that cost $500 apiece for season ticket holders, chanted “basketball” at the Washington Capitals forward, and Smith-Pelly reacted. “We’re at a time now where we can’t brush it under the rug,” Smith-Pelly said.

Source: Washington Post February 18, 2018 23:15 UTC